The Way West

Orlando Magic - A complete guide to the season - WILD WILD WEST

November 2, 1990

Mark Acres on San Antonio

There is an area called the Riverwalk, not far from the Marriott where we stay. It is similar to the Church Street Station area here in Orlando. There are a lot of shops and clubs in that area, and that gives you something to do if we happen to have an off night in town. Also, the hotel is inside a mall. That's nice because if you needed to bring home a gift from that particular trip, you could run right in and pick something up. But I hate playing in the Spurs' arena. Seems like every time I have been there, the rodeo just left the day before and the whole place still smells like, well, you know.

The facts

Population: 785,410.

Nickname: Spurs.

Good points: The team's hotel is across from the arena, and a great seafood restaurant, Landry's, also is close by. Many players will venture out shopping for Western boots on this stop.

Bad points: HemisFair Arena is really run down and locker rooms - even the Spurs' - are tiny. And playing against David Robinson is no picnic.

Nick Anderson on Phoenix

I grew up in inner-city Chicago, so the closest I have ever gotten to a cactus plant was by watching one on TV. That was the first big kick I got out of going to Phoenix, and it has become one of my favorite cites. The weather, the desert atmosphere - I love it all. It sure beats being in Chicago in February.

The facts

Population: 764,911 Team nickname: Suns Good points: Players love the intimacy of Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the warm and friendly crowd. The Gorilla, the Suns' mascot, is so good that sometimes during timeouts the players will steal a peek at him. Also, Ruth's Chris Steak House, a popular restaurant, serves up some of the best sirloins on the NBA trail.

Bad points: There aren't a lot of nonstop flights into Phoenix, so a trip there usually involves a connection, and players hate that. The weather is great in the winter, but during the spring and early summer months - around NBA playoff time - the heat can be unbearable. Of course, the Magic won't have to worry about any visits in June for a while.

Michael Ansley on Oakland

When we think of playing the Golden State Warriors, we think about going into San Francisco, not Oakland. That's not a knock on Oakland, and I realize that is where the Warriors play. But there is an excitement of going to San Francisco. To me it is like the New York City of the West Coast because of all the traffic, the subways and the trolley cars. You can spend all day just walking around looking at stuff.

The facts

Population: 339,288 (Oakland).

Team nickname: Warriors.

Good points: Almost every player has a favorite restaurant in San Francisco, and most players revel in the chance to take part in the city's nightlife.

Bad points: The Warriors play in Oakland, so that means teams either stay in Oakland, where the nightlife isn't nearly as much fun, or in San Francisco, which would mean taking a bus ride across the bay to practice and play the game. The Magic generally stay in San Francisco unless it is only a one-night visit. This could be one of the more popular stops along the way.

Terry Catledge on Dallas

I've played five years on the East Coast, so all the Western cites are fun to me. I have got some friends in Dallas, and that's why the city is special to me. There is something about Dallas and San Antonio in that you really get that Western atmosphere when you're in one of those cities. Playing against the Mavericks isn't all that fun, though. It's like trying to shoot over trees. But you can't rule out Mexican food when you're in Dallas. The tacos there are the best I have ever tasted.

The facts

Population: 1,556,549 Team nickname: Mavericks.

Good points: The Dallas-Fort Worth airport is one of the finest in the country, and there are plenty of nonstop flights in and out. That's a big bonus with the players. There is plenty of nightlife within a $5 cab ride of the downtown Hyatt Hotel, which is where most teams, including the Magic, stay.

Bad points: The worst thing about visiting Dallas is playing the Mavericks. Dallas is super talented with tremendous size and strength.

Matt Guokas on Salt Lake City

I have always enjoyed visiting Salt Lake because it is such a clean city, a very beautiful city. It is a great area for skiing, and it is fun to be in that atmosphere. When you arrive at the airport you see all the tourists with their ski equipment, and they have a very healthy, outdoors look. There are some great restaurants near the hotel where we stay, and it is a bonus that the hotel is connected to a mall. The games at the Salt Palace are fun because it is a lively crowd. I guess if there is a drawback it is the seating arrangement for some of the courtside seats. Some of the fans are virtually on top of you. Larry Miller, the Jazz's owner, literally sits next to our bench. He is so close to our bench that he could stick his head into our huddle during timeouts if he wanted to. But if you ask him, he will walk away during timeouts.